Plan Your Warner Bros Harry Potter Experience in London

Best time to visit Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio

The best time to visit the Harry Potter Studio is from June to August. The weather is relatively pleasant during these months, making it a perfect time to visit. However, this is also the peak season for the studio so be prepared for large crowds. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit during November to May. This is the off-season so there will be comparatively fewer crowds. Another highly recommended experience is visiting during Christmas, owing to the magical decoration and atmosphere.

Due to its popularity, the Harry Potter™ Studio Tour is always bustling with fans. However, since their intake capacity is limited, you would be able to comfortably explore.

What long is the Harry Potter™ Studio tour?

Typically, a Harry Potter™ Studio tour takes about 3 to 7 hours, depending on the kind of experience you have purchased your tickets for. If you choose to attend an experience, shop, or dine, your time at the studios would increase accordingly.

Harry Potter™ Studio opening times

Where is Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio located?

Address: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR.

Harry Potter™ Studio is a walk-through exhibition located at Leavesden Studios in Watford. It is just about 20 miles northwest of central London | Find on Map

Closest landmark: Watford Junction

Getting to Harry Potter™ Studio

Getting to Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio

Train: The nearest train station to the studio tour is Watford Junction. It is just a 20-minute train journey to the studio tour from London Euston and a 1-hour journey from Birmingham New Street. Take the train to Watford Junction (£4) and hop aboard the shuttle service (£3 for a return journey) to the studio. Oyster cards are valid between the stations.
Bus: Shuttle buses operated by Mullany’s Coaches run regularly from Watford Junction to the studio. An average journey should take about 15 minutes; a bus is available every 20 minutes from 9:20am every day. The last bus is generally scheduled between 8pm and 10pm depending on the closing hours. Please note that you need to display your booking confirmation to access the shuttle transfers.
Transfer options from central London with Golden Tours (preferred partners of Warner Bros. Studios) are also available.

From the North:
Exit M1 at Junction 6a onto M25 (Heathrow), then take A41 towards London (NW & C). Keep left at Hunton Bridge roundabout, then left for A405 (St Albans). Follow the signs to the studio.
From London:
Exit M1 at Junction 5 onto A41 (North Watford) for 3 miles. At Hunton Bridge Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto A41. Keep left and take the first exit, then the first exit again at the roundabout to the studio.

Car parks: Free car parking is available on-site at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. The car park is a short walk away from the entrance to the Studio Tour. When entering the car park, make sure you have your booking confirmation ready to show the Car Parking team. Priority Parking next to the entrance can be pre-booked online for an additional £10.

Know before you go

There is only one main entrance to the Warner Bros. Studios - The Making of Harry Potter London. All visitors, regardless of their arrival method (car, shuttle bus, etc.), must enter through this single point.

This entrance is located at Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Watford, WD25 8LS, United Kingdom.

Cloakroom: The cloakroom is available to securely store coats, bags, and other items. This service is complimentary, so you can explore the studio comfortably without carrying heavy or bulky items.
Toilets: There are conveniently located toilet facilities throughout the Studio Tour. These include accessible toilets for guests with disabilities.
Cash machine: A cash machine (ATM) is available on-site. While many of the services, shops, and cafes accept card payments, this facility provides additional convenience for those who prefer to use cash.
Parent and baby rooms: The Studio Tour is family-friendly, and special rooms are available for parents with young children. These areas offer a quiet, comfortable space for feeding, changing, and taking care of infants.
Shops: There are several themed shops throughout the tour, each offering exclusive Harry Potter merchandise. From wands and robes to books and souvenirs, fans can bring a piece of the Wizarding World home with them.
Food and drinks: The Harry Potter™ Studio Tour offers a variety of food and drink options, including cafes and kiosks. Guests can enjoy a range of meals, snacks, and beverages, with menus catering to different tastes and dietary requirements. Do try the Butterbeer.

Shirts and shoes are required to be worn at all times.
Clothing with offensive or inappropriate messages or images might be refused entry.
Food and beverages are not allowed inside the studios, except for bottled water. Food can be enjoyed in designated eating areas outside the tour.
Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the studio and car park.
Large bags and backpacks are discouraged due to limited space within the tour areas. Lockers are available for a small fee if needed.
Tripods and professional photography equipment are not permitted.

Harry Potter™ Studio shops have a wide range of merchandise from house robes to character collectibles and souvenirs. Here are a list of things you can find:

Clothing collection
Wands
Trunk station
Character collection
Hogwarts Houses collection
Sweet trolley
Toys and stationery
Bags and books

About Harry Potter™ Studio shops

Harry Potter™ Studio has many themed restaurants and cafés serving iconic Harry Potter delicacies.

The Chocolate Frog Café - Iconic wizarding confectionery serving treats, sweets, ice creams, and cakes.
The Hub Café - Serves sandwiches to grab-and-go, bakery items, and hot and cold Starbucks beverages.
The Food Hall - Serves sandwiches, baked goodies, and beverages in a refectory-style setting.
The Backlot Café - Offers indoor and outdoor seating with views of popular sets. You can also enjoy the famous Butterbeer here.

Budget stays: Travelodge Watford Central (from £27 | 4.1 km), Premier Inn Kings Langley Hotel (from £42 | 3.7 km), Best Western White House Hotel (from £47 | 3.9 km), Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction (from £55 | 3.4 km), Leonardo Hotel London Watford (from £62 | 3.8 km)
Mid-range stays: Two Brewers (from £68 | 5.3 km), Southern Cross (from £75 | 3 km), Hunton Park (from £80 | 620 m), Hilton London Watford (from £81 | 4.8 km), Shendish Manor Hotel & Golf Course (from £92 | 5.5 km)
Luxury stays: The Kings Lodge Hotel (from £108 | 1.1 km), St Michael's Manor Hotel (from £187 | 8.5 km), North Hill Farm (from £200 | 7 km), Sopwell House (from £305 | 8 km), The Grove Hotel – Spa and Golf (from £392 | 1.9 km)

Download the Harry Potter Fan Club app. This app unlocks exclusive content through "Enchanted Keys" hidden throughout the tour, offering behind-the-scenes insights and interactive experiences.
Pick up an Activity Passport. These free booklets are perfect for keeping children entertained. They include puzzles, trivia, and a Golden Snitch hunt, adding an interactive element to your exploration.
Participate in the green screen experience. Take a picture or video riding a broomstick "flying" over Hogwarts, just like the cast did during filming.
During special events, the studios offer extended evening tours where Diagon Alley is illuminated with twinkling lights, creating a magical atmosphere.
The studio tour often hosts themed events throughout the year, such as The Dark Arts or special exhibitions. These offer unique experiences and photo opportunities.
If time permits, venture outside to the Backlot area, where you can see sets used for iconic outdoor scenes like the Hogwarts Express bridge and the Forbidden Forest.

Whippendell Woods: Immerse yourself in nature with a visit to Whippendell Woods, located near the studio. This serene woodland offers picturesque walking trails, providing a peaceful retreat from the bustle of city life.
Cassiobury Park: Just a short drive away, Cassiobury Park is a vast public park with beautiful green spaces, a canal, and woodland areas. Ideal for a leisurely stroll, picnics, or even a boat ride along the Grand Union Canal.
Watford Museum: Delve into local history at Watford Museum, situated close to the studios. The museum showcases the town's cultural heritage through engaging exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.

Accessibility at the Harry Potter Studio

The majority of the tour is accessible, with ramps and wide pathways throughout the studio. However, there are a few areas that may be difficult to navigate for wheelchair users, such as Diagon Alley's cobbled street, The Great Hall's slate floor, The Forbidden Forest's spongy surface, Privet Drive's narrow doorway, the Knight Bus, and Hogwarts Express. These have limited accessibility due to their original set designs.

Accessible toilets are located throughout the studio tour.
A changing facility with a hoist, height-adjustable changing bench, shower, toilet, and washbasin is available in the lobby. However, visitors are required to bring their own slings for the hoist.
Wheelchairs are available on loan for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Staff are happy to assist visitors with any accessibility needs.
All paying disabled visitors can avail of one free carer ticket. The carer must provide assistance to the visitor as well as present the proof of entitlement at the ticket window.
Fully trained assistance dogs are welcome to the studio tour and water bowls are also available upon request.
Both electric, as well as manual wheelchairs, are allowed in the studio but prior notice needs to be given.
Handheld digital guides and audio-visual guides are also available for visually impaired or blind visitors.
For visitors who are hard of hearing, iPads are available to view media with subtitles throughout the attractions.
A sensory room can be used by visitors with autism and other needs who require a calming environment during their visit.
Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyards are also provided to visitors with hidden disabilities so that the studio staff are discreetly alerted to provide support and assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio

What is the best way to get to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio in London?

While you can take a bus and/or train to reach the Harry Potter™ Studios in London, the best commute option is to opt for a return transfer as part of your tour. This way you don't have to plan to commute back and forth to London.

When is the Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio closed?

The Harry Potter™ Studio is closed on March 30, November 11 to 15, and December 25 and 26.

What is the best time to opt for a Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio Tour?

If you're looking for smaller crowds, November to March is the best time to go for a Harry Potter™ Studio tour. However, if you're looking for a magical experience, you can go for a tour during the Christmas season and witness the magical festivities first-hand.

How to skip waiting lines at Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio?

You can skip long waiting lines at Harry Potter™ Studio by choosing guided tours, arriving early during visiting hours, scheduling your tours on weekdays when the crowds are lesser, and booking a priority parking bay in advance.

Is it worth visiting Warner Bros. Harry Potter™ Studio?

Absolutely. Harry Potter™ Studio Tours are a dream come true for any Harry Potter fan. You get to experience the magic of the wizarding world firsthand and make memories for a lifetime.